(6) Los Angeles Rams 18, (1) Green Bay Packers 32
The Rams’ defense had a big test against the lethal defense in Seattle and won definitively, but could they hold up against the offense of the Packers? To put it short, no, they couldn’t.
The Packers, led by the league’s best duo in quarterback (QB) Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver (WR) Davantae Adams had a field day against the Rams. Since LA’s defense was rendered defenseless, the Rams had to rely on their suspect offense. Unfortunately for LA, this wasn’t their day on offense either.
Rodgers had a solid, but not spectacular, outing, completing 23 of 36 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Green Bay’s ground game was commanded by running back (RB) Aaron Jones, who led the team with 99 yards on 14 carries.
Green Bay’s receiving corps actually wasn’t led by Adams, but instead WR Allen Lazard, who racked up 96 yards on four receptions. On the defensive end, linebacker (LB) Krys Barnes led the squad in tackles with 10. The Packers were able to get past LA’s offensive line on a few occasions with four total sacks.
Rams’ QB Jared Goff, although consistent, wasn’t efficient with his passing, as he completed 21 of 27 for 174 yards and a touchdown. RB Cam Akers racked up 90 yards on 18 carries. The Rams’ receiving corps was commanded by WR Josh Reynolds. Fellow WR Van Jefferson caught LA’s sole touchdown pass.
LA’s defense was led by safety John Johnson’s eight solo tackles and one assisted tackle. However, the defense as a whole was unable to get to sack or pick off Rodgers. The Rams’ best defensive weapon in defensive tackle (DT) Aaron Donald was held quiet with only one tackle (assisted) and no sacks.
The Packers will now head to their second-straight NFC Championship while the Rams head back home with a better season than most anticipated. The Packers’ offense is firing on all cylinders, but they have a tough matchup against a Buccaneers’ defense that boasts arguably the best front-seven in the NFL.
Rams’ biggest offseason need: QB (or work on Goff)
(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, (2) New Orleans Saints 20
This has been the saddest game of the playoffs so far, not just because of New Orleans’ play but also emotionally as this is QB Drew Brees’ final game of his career. Unfortunately, Brees went out the same way that legendary Dolphins’ QB Dan Marino went out – with a whimper in a playoff game, though there are two caveats.
Unlike Marino, Brees is retiring with a Super Bowl victory to his name, as the Saints won it all back in 2009. In addition, Brees’ performance wasn’t as bad as Marino’s final game (the Jacksonville Jaguars torched Marino’s Dolphins 62-7).
With that being said, Brees struggled immensely, completing 19 of 34 passes for 134 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Backup QB Jameis Winston, ironically against his former team, went one-for-one for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Do-it-all RB Alvin Kamara was relied upon more due to Brees’ poor performance. Kamara racked up 85 yards on 18 carries while adding 20 receiving yards. The receiving corps was led by WR Tre’Quan 85 yards and two touchdowns on three receptions. Safety Malcom Jenkins led the team in tackles with 11 total while LB Demario Davis recorded the Saints’ only sack.
On the flip side, QB Tom Brady is still playing at an elite level despite being even older than Brees. Brady completed 18 of 33 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown. RB Leonard Fournette picked up 63 yards on seven carries.
Tampa Bay’s receiving corps was led by tight end (TE) Cameron Brate’s 50 yards on four receptions. RB Leonard Fournette and WR Mike Evans both caught touchdown passes. LB Devin White had a monster game, leading the team with 11 total tackles and an interception. Cornerback (CB) Sean Bunting and safety Mike Edwards both also caught an interception apiece.
Tampa Bay simply outplayed New Orleans, especially on offense. Brees, honestly, retiring a year or two late, as it’s clear that his arm has regressed dramatically and he can no longer throw passes deep anymore. He’s a shell of his former self on the field and it was a sad sight to see. The Saints never returned to the Super Bowl following their win over a decade ago. For years, the Saints were consistently trotting out awful defenses that held the team back from greatness. Now that they have a good defense, it’s too late for Brees.
Now, we’re treated to another conference champion featuring Brady, though this time in the NFC. The Buccaneers will go up against the best offense in the league when they travel to Green Bay.
Saints’ biggest offseason need: Move on from Brees
